ASWS-Diving School combine wins boat-pulling regatta

Kochi: A team drawn from the Anti Submarine Warfare School (ASWS) and the Diving School won the keenly contested annual Kochi Area Boat Pulling Regatta of the Southern Naval Command, here, on Friday.

The race in six different categories was conducted over a course of 1.6 km in the Ernakulam channel with Venduruthy-Vikrant bridge being the starting point. INS Garuda came second and INS Venduruthy third. Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command gave away the prizes.

The race that began at 6.30 am saw nearly 30 teams testing their skills of endurance and stamina. The final race started around 10 am and the ASWS-Diving School came from behind to beat title holders INS Garuda. The ASWS team won the cup after a gap of two years.

Each whaler boat used in the race was manned by a crew of six with a coxswain at the helm. Spectators consisting of Navy men and their families cheered their respective teams vociferously.

A demonstration of water sports was also held to entertain the crowd. Godavari Trophy, given to the team with maximum points in the sporting activities for the year, was awarded to INS Venduruthy on the occasion. Admiral Soni said on the occasion that a '31 crore Watermanship Training Centre would soon be launched at the Southern Naval Command.